Clementine Rose and the Treasure Box 6 Read Online Free PDF Page A

There’s a competition here to win an entire new wardrobe.’
    â€˜Well then, you should enter it,’ Clarissa said.
    â€˜No, Mummy, you should enter it,’ said Clementine. ‘You’re much luckier than Aunt Violet. She lost all her money and her house. And didn’t you lose some of your husbands, too?’ Clementine asked, glancing up at the woman.
    â€˜Clementine Rose Appleby, the cheek of you!’ Aunt Violet jerked her chair back and stood up. ‘It’s all yours, Clarissa.’ She pushed the magazine to the end of the table. ‘And you’d better win. That might go some way towards making up for that insolent daughter of yours.’ Aunt Violet stalked out of the room.
    Clementine looked at her mother. ‘Did I say something wrong? It was the truth, wasn’t it?’
    â€˜Yes, darling. But sometimes grown-ups don’t like to be reminded of their mistakes, that’s all.’ Clarissa poured some milk into the bowl and set it down on the table.
    Clementine dug her spoon into the crispy flakes and took a mouthful.

As the grandfather clock struck two, the doorbell rang. Clementine and Lavender skittered out of the kitchen to the front hall.
    Clementine wrenched open the door and saw Basil, Ana and their three children standing on the porch.
    â€˜Hello, please come in,’ Clementine said. She made a slight bow. Lavender gave a small grunt.
    â€˜Thank you, Clementine.’ Basil doffed his stylish trilby hat.
    Ana smiled but the children only had eyes for Lavender. They were just about bursting with excitement.
    â€˜Oh my goodness, she’s adorable!’ Araminta exclaimed. ‘Can I hold her?’
    Clementine nodded and bent down to pick up the little pig.
    She passed Lavender to Araminta, and the pig immediately snuggled against the girl’s chest. Tilda scratched the creature under the chin and Lavender repaid her with a nibble.
    Teddy jigged about excitedly. ‘She’s so cute. Mummy, can we have one?’
    Ana shook her head. ‘I thought we’d settled on a dog and some chooks, and we’ve already got Flash.’
    Lady Clarissa came through the hall and joined them. ‘Hello everyone. Welcome to Penberthy House.’
    Basil was busily gazing about the foyer. His eyes came to rest on the Appleby family portraits lining the stairs.
    â€˜That’s Granny and Grandpa,’ said Clementine. She pointed at a regal-looking couple halfway up the wall. ‘And that’s Aunt Violet when she was young and beautiful. She’s not like that any more.’
    â€˜I heard that, Clementine,’ a sharp voice echoed from the upstairs landing.
    â€˜Oops!’ Clementine covered her mouth and everyone exchanged grins.
    â€˜And what is going on down there?’ Aunt Violet’s head appeared over the banister rail.
    â€˜Aunt Violet, I’d like you to meet our new neighbours,’ Lady Clarissa said.
    â€˜You didn’t tell me you’d invited anyone over, Clarissa.’ The old woman walked downstairs. ‘Especially since I told you not to,’ she muttered to herself.
    â€˜Aunt Violet.’ Lady Clarissa’s voice was stern. ‘This is Basil and Ana Hobbs and their children Araminta, Teddy and Tilda.’
    â€˜Yes, yes, lovely to meet you all,’ Aunt Violet said wanly. The old woman reluctantly shook hands with Basil, then looked at Ana. She studiedthe woman’s face and it was as if a light came on. ‘Oh my heavens. You’re Anastasia Barkov.’
    Ana nodded. ‘That’s what I was called professionally.’
    â€˜Good heavens, Clarissa, why didn’t you tell me that our new neighbour is the recently retired prima ballerina of the Royal Ballet?’ Aunt Violet demanded.
    â€˜I’m afraid I didn’t know,’ Lady Clarissa apologised.
    â€˜Please, I wouldn’t have expected you to,’ said Ana. Her ears and cheeks turned a matching shade